Beverly's Yankee 5K marks 50 years

The Beverly Yankee 5K Road Race has more to celebrate this year than just a half-century of existence.

Organized by the YMCA of the North Shore, the event has been a key part of Beverly Homecoming for 50 years, with 600 runners drawn annually each summer to participate in the run.

This year’s race will be held at 6:30 p.m. on Thursday, Aug. 3, with a Kids Fun Run kicking off festivities at 5:30 p.m. on the same day.

The 2017 race course has been certified by USA Track and Field, a recent development that makes this event even more unique among other similar road races.

“Basically, it adds to that professionalism that the Y is really trying to curate, as far as having a great experience for runners, from the front of the pack to the middle of the pack to everything in between,” explains YMCA of the North Shore Road Race Series Director Tim Short. “This lends itself to that.”

The Yankee 5K is just one of 10 races offered annually by the YMCA of the North Shore as part of the non-profit organization’s 2017 Road Race Series. Other races in the series have seen an increase in interest after achieving the certification. Once a course is certified, the certification is in place for 10 years.

“It can also open doors to different things in terms of sponsorship and in-kind donations from companies,” says Short. “When you see it, people say, ‘Wow, that’s something that’s really cool.’ It’s a true 5K, not just someone going out with a car and trying to measure it. We have a certifier do it.”

The Yankee 5K begins and ends at iconic Lynch Park and draws spectators from local neighborhoods to cheer on the runners. It creates a unique, community-oriented situation.

“I think, in a larger context, it speaks volumes of the community of Beverly itself,” explains Short. “I definitely believe -- that with all of the events going on with Homecoming festivities, and the races Beverly has year-round -- that Beverly understands the importance of physical fitness and what it offers their residents.”

That goal of reinforcing the importance of physical fitness is ingrained in the DNA of this year’s race: Proceeds from the race will go toward fighting childhood obesity.

“All race proceeds go back to local YMCAs to help fight childhood obesity,” says Short. “We realize as an organization that it’s certainly a significant issue going on across the country right now. We want to be sure that kids of all ages have the opportunity to partake in activities that are healthy, and that are going to give them the opportunity to lead a healthy lifestyle.”

The Kids Fun Run draws around 50 youths each year with this goal in mind. Additionally, entire families sign up and participate in this race. It’s not uncommon to see two or three generations of one family running together, giving the Yankee 5K another unique aspect.

The venue is also a key draw for the race, beginning and ending at scenic Lynch Park.

“It’s a rolling hill course, so it will offer people a little bit of a challenge,” explains Short. “It’s not

too flat, not too hilly, either. There’s the great finish coming back to Lynch Park; the runners appreciate coming downhill into the park in the final spurt.”

Entry fees for the 50th Annual Beverly Yankee 5K Road Race are $25 for 15 years and older, $15 for 14 years and younger. Go to www.northshoreymca.org/events/yankee-homecoming-race to register, or contact Tim Short at shortt@northshoreymca.org for more information.